Lane Gerdes:
CLASS OF 1986
Palo Verde High SchoolClass of 1986
Tucson, AZ
University of Arizona - Engineering & MinesClass of 1996
Tucson, AZ
Sahuaro High SchoolClass of 1988
Tucson, AZ
Vanden High SchoolClass of 1986
Fairfield, CA
Kubasaki High SchoolClass of 1986
Okinawa,
Lane's Story
Life
I figured I should at least try to cover all the groups I am part of in my profile/history. =)
Let's do this chronologically....
1981-84 I was in Okinawa. My dad was stationed at Kadena Airbase.
We transferred there when I was in 8th grade, and I finished my 8th grade year at Kadena High, where I met one of my best friends, and one whom I am still in contact with. I had to go to Kubasaki because of where we lived on base, and was there through the beginning of my junior year. I was in band, and also played on The Shoguns football team. I'm still looking for some friends from Kubasaki (Rodney (Wilson?), Rio, Tim).
We transferred to Travis Airforce base in Nov of 84, and I was going to Vanden High School (junior year, 84-85). didn't really like it there, probably my least favorite location we had ever been stationed, but I did make some good friends, and still keep in touch with a few of them.
My dad retired after my junior year and we moved back to Tucson in the summer of 1985. I attended Palo Verde high for my senior year. Not much to say about that, most of my friends were at Sabino or Saguaro, and they were all in different grades than me.
I went to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University for Aeronautical engineering in Prescott the spring and summer of 1987, but simply couldn't afford it and didn't want to be really deep in debt when I graduated. So I dropped out for about a year and half, worked full time to save up some money and go back to a less expensive school. I worked so many different jobs I'm not sure I could list them all now!
I started at Pima College (PCC) in 1989, and worked as a lifeguard at the Lighthouse YMCA until I got a job as a tutor at the PCC tutoring center. I really loved working as a tutor, I tutored all levels of math and physics, as well as a smattering of writing, humanities, chemistry, and whatever else I could help with! I met lots of neat people that way, and even got involved in the student government. I wound up attending part time and fulltime until 1993 when I transferred to...Expand for more
the University of Arizona. I met my wife at the tutoring center at PCC in 1992.
U of A 1993-1996: I worked at the Math and Science Learning Center while I was attending the U of A, and graduated in 1996. I got married in 1996, just before graduating the U of A (almost a 4 year engagment!)
I've been working as an aircraft structural engineer ever since. I worked for J2 Engineering in Tucson for 7 years, until I was offered the chance to live and work in Hamburg Germany, with Lufthansa. I spent a year there, but the economy forced layoffs, so I am now working for Hawker Beechcraft (formerly Raytheon) in Wichita, Kansas.
My wife is currently working on her MS in computer science at Wichita State University, and we are hoping to move again when she is done.
Been a long time now since Oki. I do miss it.
I'm now married (since '96), no kids (and not planning on any), graduated from the University of Arizona with a BS in Aerospace Engineering, also in '96.
I have more hobbies than I should, and not enough time for half of them. :) I still love to SCUBA, something I started in Oki. I love to visit renaissance fairs, and even used to work at the one in Arizona. I am an avid cyclist, with my longest rides being about 150 miles so far. One day, I'd like to do a coast to coast bike ride.
I am planning on getting my pilot's license soon (hopefully summer of 2008) so I will maybe even be able to visit some old friends a little easier. I would eventually like to own my own plane as well.
I really like biking, hiking and birding. And I spend way too much time playing on the computer.
Hopefully, I can get in touch with some old friends from the past!
I've got several photo albums online, but apparently, I can't post the link here. email me if you are interested. (wylann at gmail dot com)
Since moving to the midwest, I've become more active in local politics and other social groups. I am the Vice President of Kansas Citizens for Science (kcfs.org) and have become more active in the local atheist community as well.
Enjoy!
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